Starlight named in legal action over pensions

A jet passes over Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park during a rehearsal of Starlight Musical Theatre's "SUDS" in 2010. There's been no word yet on when, or whether, a 2011 season will begin for the 65-year-old company.

John R. McCutchen

A jet passes over Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park during a rehearsal of Starlight Musical Theatre's "SUDS" in 2010. There's been no word yet on when, or whether, a 2011 season will begin for the 65-year-old company.

A jet passes over Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park during a rehearsal of Starlight Musical Theatre's "SUDS" in 2010. There's been no word yet on when, or whether, a 2011 season will begin for the 65-year-old company. (John R. McCutchen)

There’s been no news yet of a potential summer season from Starlight Musical Theatre, the Balboa Park institution that has struggled financially in recent years. But there is some word concerning Starlight out of New York: A labor union has filed suit against the 65-year-old company in a federal court there.

The action by the New York-based IATSE, which represents stagehands in the United States and Canada, alleges that Starlight owes $15,405.52 to the union's retirement fund. The suit seeks that amount plus interest and 20 percent in damages, as well as legal fees.

The union filed the claim May 23 under ERISA, the 1974 law that covers non-government pension plans. The filing states that under terms of Starlight's agreement with Local 122 of the union, the company was obligated to pay the equivalent of 4 percent of wages into the fund, but has not paid anything since June 2007.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Leonard B. Sand of New York's Southern District.

Representatives of Starlight (known formally as the San Diego Civic Light Opera Association) could not be reached immediately for comment.